Help !Phd finance direct or Mfe first ?

[donquijote]

Having graduated 20 years ago, wondering whether to do an MFE first as prep for PHD or do PHD direct. My undergrad

was in finance (3.5 overall 3.8 major) and my math/it (matlab,etc) need brushing up ? Location flexible but prefer West

Coast, Canada or Europe..

[zapster]

Depends on what is your objective / end-goal in pusuing a phd, as well as your background /experience, specific area of interest within Finance. In general my opinion is that if your target is definitely a phd, you should try to get into a phd program directly as far as possible; consider an MFE only if your chances of getting into a phd program are minimal without first going through an MFE.

 

I would also suggest writing to potential POIs in Finance with a brief about your background and interests and asking whether they are open to taking phd students next year, etc. Their responses should give you a good idea of how appropriate they consider your fit into the programs (although admissions per se can be totally unpredictable).